After 18 years on air, the country's longest-running daily drama Egoli - The Place of Gold has been discontinued by M-Net.

After 18 years on air, the country's longest-running daily drama Egoli - The Place of Gold has been discontinued by M-Net.

The show's contract with M-Net was not renewed because it had to make way for another programme to be announced soon.

The final episode of the soapie will be flighted on March 31 next year. Sources close to the situation said Egoli has been discontinued because it was facing tough competition.

Lani Lombard, head of publicity at M-Net, said Egoli has been doing well in the past 18 years.

"We do not rate Egoli against shows such as Generations or Rhythm City because the channels are free. However, the show has had loyal viewership in the past 18 years and is one of our top five shows."

M-Net's director of entertainment, Theo Erasmus, said: "Because of the rapidly changing South African television landscape, no programme can exist in this diverse environment forever."

Erasmus added: "It was a difficult decision as we know that Egoli has such a loyal fan base, but the magic of M-Net will continue with an array of fresh, new local shows which will lure even more viewers in future."

Egoli was first broadcast on April 6 1992 and it has paved the way for numerous other similar daily dramas.

Franz Marx, the creator of Egoli, said the end of the contract with M-Net will give him a chance to take a much-needed break.

"I am going to take some time to rest and rejuvenate before thinking about new productions. The past 18 years with M-Net have been exciting, but all good things must inevitably come to an end."

The show boasts talented actors such as Shaleen Surtie-Richards, Tazz Nginda, Eckard Rabe, and Brümilda van Rensburg, among others.